Continental Margin and Submarine Canyon Processes

Charlie Paull’s research group will continue a multi-pronged attack on understanding the frequency, intensity, duration, and mechanism of sediment transport events in Monterey Canyon. The team will use a variety of approaches, including observatories, self triggering event detectors, repeat mapping with the autonomous underwater multibeam vehicle, vibracoring the canyon sediments with a remotely operated vehicle, and event response cruises. Paull’s research group will also be participating in interdisciplinary studies of transform margins in the Gulf of California. In a feasibility study, Paull and Ussler will attempt to create an artificial environment in the laboratory conducive to the establishment of a seep community through the introduction of methane. The ultimate goal will be to transfer this knowledge to create such an environment in the deep sea to understand the time scales for establishing new communities under controlled conditions.